China Box Office: Zhang Yimou’s ‘Under the Light’ Retains Weekend Leadership
variety.comPatrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief A dearth of new release films allowed Zhang Yimou’s “Under the Light” to retain a comfortable lead at the China box office over the weekend, in its third week of release.
The contemporary crime drama film earned $13.5 million (RMB97.2 million) between Friday and Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Since releasing on Sept. 28, it has accumulated gross revenues of $163 million (RMB1.17 billion). Zhang will be feted with a lifetime achievement award in Japan next week, where the Tokyo International Film Festival will play his February record breaker “Full River Red,” but not “Under the Light.” “The Volunteers: To the War,” a 1950s-set propaganda film directed by Chen Kaige, earned $9.6 million (RMB69.2 million) and rose from third to second place.
It now has a cumulative of $93.2 million.Chinese comedy franchise film “The Ex-Files 4: Marriage Plan” took $8.8 million in its third week of release, advancing its cumulative to $123 million. “Moscow Mission” was close behind, with $8.4 million.
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